Still riding. Still writing. Still wondering.

Shakespeare 400

Dare I presume to pen one word for thee,
The greatest of us all, whose works and fame
Ring round the globe? Have I audacity
Enough to dedicate lines to thy name?
The one who crowned great kings, broke lovers’ hearts,
Wrought new worlds, words and wonders on the page;
Unwound this mortal coil and all its parts,
Made us ourselves, and all the world your stage.
But dare I must; I have no other choice
As one alive in England at this hour:
Four centuries have passed, and still your voice
Compels my heart and hand. Such is your power.
Can words of mine do honour to this day?
I am no Will, but I shall find a way.

Had to write something to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of my one true hero, William Shakespeare, on 23 April. It’s a couple of days after the event, I know, but I had to summon enough courage before commemorating the ultimate sonneteer ! N.

Thank you, Tom. There was a star-studded show at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford on Saturday, which was shown on the BBC: if you can find it on the internet, there were some wonderful moments. To hear Willâs words from the likes of David Tennant, Rory Kinnear and Ian McKellen makes me realise once again the true extent of his genius â and their extraordinary talents. N.